# NTSB ATL05CA077: Bell 206L 1, N66RR, Cherokee, NC, April 30, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 30, 2005, 18:45 local (22:45 UTC) - Place: Cherokee, NC - Coordinates: 35.433334, -83.316665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4333&lon=-83.3167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FSDO 33 Charlotte - NTSB case key (mKey): 61590 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL05CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61590/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL05CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper use of the helicopter flight controls during a hover that resulted in a dynamic rollover. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Roll over, hover - in ground effect - dynamic rollover, pilot in command - rotorcraft flight controls - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot was repositioning the helicopter to the refueling area behind the helipad, to take on more fuel before flying his next sightseeing operation. He checked that all gauges were in normal operating ranges and that no warning lights were on. The pilot spooled up the helicopter to 100-percent and again, checked to make sure all gauges were in normal operating ranges. The pilot slowly began to raise the collective. The pilot stated that the front end of the helicopter started to raise up and the helicopter began to go backwards before fully off the ground. He continued raising the collective until he noticed that the right rear skid was buried into the gravel. The pilot pushed the collective down immediately and the helicopter rolled to the right onto its side and then came to rest inverted. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. Examination of the accident site revealed a flat, gravel helipad. Examination of the wreckage revealed the helicopter inverted and the main rotor severed off. The roof of the cabin had crush damage and was detached from the rest of the cabin. Both main rotor blades were bent, the tip of one rotor blade was broken off and the tail rotor drive shaft was damaged. A passing automobile also sustained damage from flying helicopter debris. ## Factual narrative On April 30, 2005 at 1845 eastern daylight time, a Bell 206L-1Long Ranger, N66RR, registered to and operated by a private owner, rolled over during a hover at a private heliport in Cherokee, North Carolina. The repositioning flight, which was part of a sightseeing operation, operated under provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The helicopter was substantially damaged. The pilot was not injured. A passing automobile also sustained minor damage. The accident occurred at private heliport, Cherokee, North Carolina, on April 30, 2005 1845. The pilot stated that he was attempting to reposition the helicopter to the refueling area, located behind the helipad, to take on more fuel before flying his next sightseeing operation. Before bring the helicopter to a hover, he checked that all flight and engine gauges were in normal operating ranges and that no warning lights were on. The pilot increased the engine throttle up to 100-percent and again, checked to make sure all gauges were in normal operating ranges. The pilot slowly began to raise the collective, making the helicopter "light" on the skids. The pilot stated that the front end of the helicopter started to raise up and the helicopter began to go backwards before fully off the ground. He continued raising the collective until he noticed that the right rear skid was buried into the gravel. The pilot pushed the collective down immediately and the helicopter rolled to the right onto its side and then came to rest inverted. Witnesses driving by saw the helicopter getting ready to take off and then suddenly noticed the helicopter leaning more and more to its side and then finally tipping completely over. Examination of the accident site reveal a flat, gravel helipad. The post-accident examination of the wreckage revealed the helicopter inverted and the main rotor severed off. The roof of the cabin had crush damage and was detached from the rest of the cabin. Both main rotor blades were bent, the tip of one rotor blade was severed off and the tail rotor drive shaft was damaged. A passing automobile also sustained damage from flying helicopter debris. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the helicopter prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N66RR](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N66RR), registered now, S/N 45278, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BELL 206L 1 - Registry model: [Bell Helicopter Textron 206L-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-helicopter-textron-206l-1) (registry code 1182107) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Allison 250-C28 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/allison-250-c28-series) (registry code 03022, turbo-shaft) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Helicopter - Serial number: 45278 - Airframe hours: 6931 - Engines: Allison 250-C28B 500 horsepower turbo shaft - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Business, Part 91 - Operator: Rock Alan Riggs - Registered owner: Rock Alan Riggs - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, October 31, 2004, 27 hours before - Departed: Cherokee, NC - Destination: Cherokee, NC - Airport: N/A, Cherokee Heliport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; commercial; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 1, 2005; seat: right; flight hours: 510 total, 300 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 75 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 0° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.84 inHg - Observed at: KAVL, 21 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20050430006119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050430006119A), Apr 30, 2005: Bell 206L1, Cherokee, NC, Destroyed. (-23) Pilot was attempting to depart helipad when the pilot induced dynamic roll over by using incorrect control inputs. Helicopter then rolled over on right… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.